This rule establishes minimum physical
environment and safety standards to ensure that individuals living in
residential facilities licensed in accordance with section
5123.19 of the Revised Code are
provided a safe, healthy, and homelike living environment that meets their
specific needs.

(6)"Intermediate
care facility for individuals with intellectual disabilities" has the same
meaning as in section
5124.01 of the Revised
Code.

(7)"Licensee" has the same meaning as in section
5123.19 of the Revised
Code.

(8)"Operator" means the licensee or an entity with which
the licensee has established a contract for the management of and provision of
services at the residential facility.

(9)"Physical
evacuation" means that the individuals residing in the residential facility
physically leave the facility or, in the case of a facility that is classified
as I-1 or I-2 occupancy pursuant to section 308 of the Ohio building code,
individuals residing in the facility must be moved to a separate fire area
within the facility that is separated by a two-hour rated
firewall.

(10)"Residential facility" has the same meaning as in
section 5123.19 of the Revised
Code.

(1)The operator
shall ensure that the residential facility remains in compliance with the
feasibility, space, and usage requirements for residential facilities set forth
in paragraphs (D) and (E) of rule
5123:2-3-08 of the
Administrative Code.

(2)All areas of the interior, exterior, and grounds of the
residential facility and all electrical, plumbing, and heating systems of the
residential facility shall be maintained in a clean and sanitary manner and in
good repair at all times and adequate to meet the needs of the
individuals.

(3)All solid waste shall be disposed of immediately after
production or shall be stored in leak-proof containers with tight-fitting
covers which provide protection from animals, rodents, and insects until time
of disposal. Such waste shall be disposed of through a public disposal service,
a private contract service, or otherwise in accordance with the requirements of
the Ohio department of health and any local regulations, rules, codes, or
ordinances.

(4)The operator shall take measures to eliminate and
prevent the presence of insects, rodents, and other vermin in and around the
residential facility. Opened doors and windows shall be screened. The
extermination of insects, rodents, and other vermin shall be done in such a
manner as not to create a fire or other safety or health
hazard.

(5)Disinfectants, pesticides, poisons, and other toxic
substances shall be properly labeled and stored separate from food products.
All substances defined as "hazardous substances" or which are labeled
"warning," "caution," or "danger" shall be used in a manner that ensures the
health and safety of individuals served in the residential
facility.

(6)Gasoline, kerosene, paints, and other flammable
materials and liquids shall be stored in a safe manner and in accordance with
the manufacturer's label. Storage of combustible and non-combustible materials
shall not produce conditions that create a fire, safety, or health
hazard.

(7)The licensee shall ensure that sidewalks, escape
routes, and entrances are free of obstacles and ice and snow.

(8)The operator
shall maintain the heating system, and cooling system if applicable, of the
residential facility in safe operating condition. The residential facility
shall be maintained at a comfortable and healthy temperature based on the
individuals' needs and desires.

(10)No bedroom shall
be occupied by individuals of the opposite sex unless both occupants are
consenting adults or both occupants are less than age six.

(11)No bedroom shall
be occupied by an adult and a child unless the occupants are related to one
another.

(12)No part of the residential facility shall be off limits
to individuals except for staff quarters, bathrooms located in or adjacent to
staff quarters, bedrooms of other individuals unless consent is given, and
mechanical and boiler rooms or other areas of the facility that present a
health or safety risk to an individual as identified in his or her individual
plan or individual service plan.

(1)The operator shall provide the residential facility
with safe, sanitary, comfortable, and homelike equipment, furniture, and
appliances in good repair and appropriate for the age and ability of
individuals.

(2)The operator shall provide a means (e.g., telephone,
wireless telephone, or computer) for communicating with others to which
individuals have free access at all times and in a manner that affords an
individual privacy.

(3)The operator shall ensure a sufficient supply of soap
and basic toiletries (i.e., deodorant, shampoo, oral hygiene items, and
feminine hygiene products), toilet paper, clean towels and washcloths, and
first aid supplies is available to meet the needs of the
individuals.

(4)The operator shall provide each individual with a bed
or crib that is clean, comfortable, sturdy, safe, and in good condition and
appropriate for the individual's age and ability. Hideaway beds, roll away
beds, sleeper sofas, and futons shall not be used.

(a)Cribs shall be
used only for individuals less than age five. An individual needing to sleep in
a crib shall sleep in a crib which is at least six inches longer than the
individual's extended length.

(b)Side rails and/or
bed enclosures shall be used only as approved in the individual plan or
individual service plan.

(c)No individual shall sleep on an exposed mattress or on
an exposed mattress cover. Waterproof mattress covers shall be provided for
infants and individuals who are incontinent.

(d)The operator
shall provide each individual with bedding appropriate to the weather and
climate. Linens and bedding for each bed or crib shall be maintained to provide
clean and sanitary sleeping accommodations for each individual.

(5)The
operator shall provide each individual with closet and drawer space in his or
her bedroom for in-season clothing and personal possessions with racks and
shelves accessible to the individual.

(i) Designating a tornado shelter or safe area in the
residential facility and the procedure for accessing the area;

(ii)Responses to
weather-related emergencies or other disasters when relocation of individuals
is not required; and

(iii)Responses to weather-related emergencies or other
disasters when relocation of individuals is required, including designation of
a pre-arranged evacuation site in case of a physical evacuation of the
residential facility.

(2)A current graphic
floor plan shall be posted unobstructed on each floor of the residential
facility and in an area most appropriate for the posting of staff information.
The graphic floor plan shall include, but is not limited to:

(3)No exit, stairway, corridor, ramp, elevator, fire
escape, or other means of exit from a building shall be used for storage
purposes or be otherwise obstructed from use.

(4)A fire
extinguisher approved by the state/local authority shall be located on each
floor and in the natural path of escape from a fire, at readily accessible and
visible points which are not likely to be obstructed.

(5)Each residential
facility with six or more individuals shall be equipped with:

(a)An automatic
sprinkler system meeting the requirements of "National Fire Protection
Association" 13-D, "Sprinkler Systems in One and Two Family Dwellings." The
sprinkler system shall be interconnected with the smoke and fire detection and
alarm system.

(b)An automatic sprinkler system meeting the requirements
of "National Fire Protection Association" 13, "Standard for the Installation of
Sprinkler Systems," when a residential facility has seventeen or more
individuals, or when a residential facility with six to sixteen individuals
cannot be physically evacuated in twelve minutes or less. The sprinkler system
shall be interconnected with the smoke and fire detection and alarm system. A
new residential facility with six to sixteen individuals classified as I-1
occupancy pursuant to section 308 of the Ohio building code on or after May 18,
1995, shall be required to have a sprinkler system meeting the requirements of
"National Fire Protection Association" 13-R, "Installation of Sprinkler Systems
in Residential Occupancies Up to Four Stories in Height."

(c)A smoke and fire
detection and alarm system meeting the requirements of "National Fire
Protection Association" 72, "National Fire Alarm Code," depending upon the
nature of the physical facility involved and such other standards as required
by the appropriate building and fire officials.

(d)Fire alarm pull
stations near each main exit and in the natural path of escape from a fire, at
readily accessible and visible points which are not likely to be
obstructed.

(6)Each residential facility with five or fewer
individuals shall be equipped with:

(a)At least a single station smoke detector on each floor
of the facility. Each smoke detector shall be mounted on the ceiling or wall at
a point centrally located in the corridor or area giving access to rooms used
for sleeping. Where sleeping rooms are on an upper level, the smoke detector
shall be placed at the center of the ceiling directly above the stairway. All
smoke detectors shall be installed and maintained in accordance with the
manufacturer's recommendations. When the smoke detectors are wall-mounted, they
shall be located within twelve inches, but no closer than four inches, of the
ceiling. Installation shall not interfere with the operating characteristics of
the smoke detector. When activated, the smoke detector shall provide an alarm
audible in the residential facility.

(b)An approved fire
alarm system, which includes bells, sirens, horns, lights, or other equipment
as may be appropriate, when services are provided to individuals who are
visually and/or hearing impaired.

(c)An automatic
sprinkler system meeting the requirements of "National Fire Protection
Association" 13-D, "Sprinkler Systems in One and Two Family Dwellings," and a
smoke detection system as required by paragraph (E)(6)(a) of this rule when the
residential facility cannot be physically evacuated in three minutes or
less.

(9)The operator
shall conduct and document at least three fire safety drills in a twelve-month
period with one conducted during the morning, one conducted during the
afternoon or evening, and one conducted during the time when individuals are
routinely asleep.

(10)The operator shall conduct and document at least one
tornado drill in a twelve-month period.

(11)Fire safety
drills and tornado drills may be announced or unannounced and shall be
conducted in accordance with the assessed needs of individuals as identified in
their individual plans or individual service plans.

(12)Residential
facility staff shall be trained in fire safety, operation of fire safety
equipment and warning systems, and emergency response plan in accordance with
rule 5123:2-3-01 of the
Administrative Code.

(13)Each individual shall participate in documented
training of the residential facility's fire safety plan and emergency response
plan within thirty calendar days of residency and at least once during every
twelve-month period thereafter. The training shall be appropriate for the
individual's needs based on the results of an assessment.

(14)Except at an
intermediate care facility for individuals with intellectual disabilities,
individuals may be trained to assist one another in case of fire or other
emergency to the extent their abilities permit without additional personal risk
and as indicated in their individual plans or individual service
plans.

(15)The operator shall report to the department within one
business day any fire to which a local fire department
responded.

(16)The operator shall report to the department within one
business day when an emergency requires the operator to relocate individuals
from the residential facility.